Find a Law Firm
approved by HodgeEquityRelease
Ready to buy a new home? Failing to check that a lawyer is on the HodgeEquityRelease list of approved solicitors can put your transaction at risk of delay or failure.
Find an Approved Solicitor on the Hodge Equity Release Conveyancing Panel
Common questions asked concerning the Hodge Equity Release Conveyancing Panel
I have been advised by my broker that I have to pay Hodge Equity Release fees should I instruct my family lawyer. How good are the Hodge Equity Release conveyancing panel solicitors? I'm happy to use any solicitor in the country TBH provided that they are good and not exorbitantly priced. Are there any Hodge Equity Release conveyancers you'd recommend?
Hodge Equity Release’s conveyancing panel is pretty large so your best bet is just to check with the firms you are getting quotes from that they are on the panel. You can search by postcode on the search tool on this site to find solicitors that Hodge Equity Release will allow to act for them.
We are nearing an exchange and my mum and dad having transferred the 10% deposit to my lawyer. I am now advised that as the deposit has not come from me my lawyer needs to make a notification to my lender Hodge Equity Release. Apparently, being on the Hodge Equity Release conveyancing panel and acting on their behalf he must inform Hodge Equity Release if the balance of the mortgage advance is coming from anyone other than me. I informed the bank about my parent’s contribution when I applied for the mortgage so is it really necessary for this now to be an issue?
Your lawyer is obliged to check with Hodge Equity Release to make sure that they are aware that the balance of the purchase price is not from your own funds. Your solicitor can only report this to Hodge Equity Release if you agree, failing which, your lawyer must cease to continue acting.
I need to find a Hodge Equity Release panel solicitor in Inverness. Can you assist?
Unfortunately it’s not apparent why you need a Hodge Equity Release panel solicitor but in any event, if you can not find one on our search tool you will need to speak directly to Hodge Equity Release to find out which solicitors in Hodge Equity Release are on their panel. If you do find such a firm not listed please direct them to our site to list. After all the cost is only one £1 a month
Please explain the implications if my lawyer’s firm is suspended from the Hodge Equity Release Solicitor panel prior to the completion date?
First, this is very unlikely to happen. In most cases even where a law firm is removed off of a panel the lender would allow the completion to go ahead as the lender would appreciate the difficulties that they would place you in if you have ti instruct a new solicitor days before completion. In a worst case scenario where the lender insists that you instruct a new firm then it is possible for a very good lawyer to expedite the conveyancing albeit that you may pay a significant premium for this. The analogous situation is where a buyer instructs a lawyer, exchanges contracts and the law firm is shut down by the regulator such as the SRA. Again, in this situation you can find lawyers who can troubleshoot their way to bring the conveyancing to a satisfactory conclusion - albeit at a cost.
I currently have a mortgage with with Hodge Equity Release. Conveyancing has been completed 12 months ago. Should I wish to rent out my property and do not currently have a buy-to-let mortgage do I need to remortgage to a buy-to-let mortgage or inform Hodge Equity Release?
Hodge Equity Release must be informed of your intention in advance of renting your property as this is likely to be a breach of Hodge Equity Release’s mortgage conditions. It may be that Hodge Equity Release will allow you to rent out your former home without needing to switch to a buy-to-let mortgage but some lenders will add a surcharge to your mortgage rate to reflect the higher risk. You should contact Hodge Equity Release directly. You need not do this via a Hodge Equity Release conveyancing panel lawyer.
I am due to exchange contracts on my flat. I had a double glazing fitted in month 2010 but did not receive a FENSA certificate or Building Regulation Certificate. My buyer's lender, Hodge Equity Release are being a right pain. The solicitor who is on the Hodge Equity Release conveyancing panel is happy to accept ‘lack of building regulation’ insurance but Hodge Equity Release are insisting on a building regulation certificate. Why do Hodge Equity Release have a conveyancing panel of they don’t accept advice from them?
It is probably the case that Hodge Equity Release have referred the matter to their valuer. The reason why Hodge Equity Release may not want to accept indemnity insurance is because it does not give them any reassurance that the double glazing correctly and safely installed. It merely protects against enforcement action which is very unlikely anyway.
I have instructed a lawyer having checked that they are on the Hodge Equity Release conveyancing panel. Does my lawyer arrange the survey of the property?
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Having digested plenty of mortgage guides,I note that it is considered advisable to get your house surveyed prior to buying it. When I asked my solicitor - who is on the Hodge Equity Release conveyancing panel - on this she said they don't do this and I need to contract an independent surveyor. is that correct?
Hodge Equity Release will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually Hodge Equity Release will appoint their own surveyor to do this, and you will have to pay for it. Remember that this is a valuation for mortgage purposes and not a survey.
You may wish to consider appointing your own surveyor to carry out a survey or prepare a home buyers report on the property. It is up to you to satisfy yourself that the property is structurally sound before you buy it. If the survey or report reveals that building work is needed, you should tell your solicitor. You may wish to renegotiate with the seller.
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Your lawyer will not organise the survey but they may be able to put you in touch with a local one that they recommend. RICS offers a find a surveyor service (just google it) where you can search for a qualified surveyor by postcode. As you are getting a mortgage with Hodge Equity Release you could contact your them to see if they have a list of approved surveyors.